An L-class Multirole Observatory and Science Platform for Neptune

TL;DR

The paper proposes using upcoming super heavy-lift launch vehicles to deploy an L-class observatory around Neptune, enabling advanced scientific investigations of the Solar System, Kuiper Belt, and exoplanets.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mission concept for an L-class observatory on Neptune, leveraging future heavy-lift launch capabilities for diverse scientific research.

Findings

Design of an L-class observatory for Neptune

Potential scientific investigations into Solar System and exoplanets

Feasibility of using future heavy-lift launch vehicles

Abstract

A coming resurgence of super heavy-lift launch vehicles has precipitated an immense interest in the future of crewed spaceflight and even future colonisation efforts. While it is true that a bright future awaits this sector, driven by commercial ventures and the reignited interest of old space-faring nations, and the joining of new ones, little of this attention has been reserved for the science-centric applications of these launchers. The Arcanum mission is a proposal to use these vehicles to deliver an L-class observatory into a highly eccentric orbit around Neptune, with a wide-ranging suite of science goals and instrumentation tackling Solar System science, planetary science, Kuiper Belt Objects and exoplanet systems.